Yanks Open Series In Cincy With Win

Coming off a very satisfying 3 out of 4 in Toronto -- 1 run in the 1st 9 innings on Wednesday, and it would have been a sweep -- the Yankees started an Interleague series last night, away to the Cincinnati Reds. 

Clarke Schmidt started, so I was not optimistic. Well, if I am to be wrong, let it be about things like this. He pitched shutout ball for 5 innings, allowing only 4 hits.

Aaron Judge crushed a home run in the 1st inning, and it was still 1-0 after 5, so Schmidt was pitching with some pressure. Anthony Rizzo added a 2-run homer in the 6th.

Schmidt allowed a single and a double to begin the bottom of the 6th. Aaron Boone decided he'd done enough, and replaced him with Jimmy Cordero. He let those runners score, but got out of it to preserve the lead. Albert Abreu pitched a scoreless 7th. Wandy Peralta pitched a scoreless 8th, though it was hardly sweatless.

After a pair of walks in the 9th, Kyle Higashioka doubled those runs home, and was himself singled home by Harrison Bader. The recently-acquired Nick Ramirez was brought in, and he pitched a scoreless bottom of the 9th.

Yankees 6, Reds 2. WP: Schmidt (2-4). No save. LP: Ben Lively (1-2).

The series continues this afternoon. With 5 hours left before first pitch, the Yankees still had not announced a starting pitcher. The Reds' will be Luke Weaver -- no relation to Jeff.